A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, a memoir, a photo essay, a short graphic narrative, or an excerpt from a longer work of...
read moreWriting Contests, Grants & Awards
The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about the creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more—that we’ve published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it. Ours is the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
Narrative
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $27
Application Deadline: 11/21/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Michigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $2,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $2,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a short story. Kevin Wilson will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreWhite Pine Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by White Pine Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 60 to 80 pages with a $20 entry fee by November 30....
read moreQuarter After Eight
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,008.15 and publication in Quarter After Eight is given annually for a prose poem, a short short story, a micro essay, or other work of short prose....
read moreGreen Linden Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for an innovative book of poetry “that questions the boundaries of genre, form, or mode while engaging...
read moreMichigan Quarterly Review
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Michigan Quarterly Review is given annually for a single poem. Hala Alyan will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreLitMag
Cash Prize: $1,250
Entry Fee: $16
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,250 and publication in LitMag is given annually for a work of flash fiction. The winner will also have their work reviewed by agents Jenny Bent (Bent...
read moreMunster Literature Centre
Cash Prize: $2,353
Entry Fee: $8
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of €2,000 (approximately $2,353) and publication in Southword is given annually for a single poem. The winner will also receive a four-night hotel stay,...
read moreBeloit Poetry Journal
Cash Prize: $2,500
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $2,500, publication by Beloit Poetry Journal, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Using only the online...
read moreUniversity of North Texas
Cash Prize: $10,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $10,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the current year by a midcareer poet. The winner will also give a reading and book signing at the...
read moreRed Hen Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $10
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press is given annually for a story or essay collection, a novel, a memoir, or a hybrid work of prose by a queer writer. Andrew Lam...
read moreNew Millennium Writings
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $20
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Four prizes of $1,000 each are given biannually for a single poem, a short story, a short short story, and an essay. The winners also receive publication in New Millennium...
read moreNina Riggs Poetry Foundation
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a single poem that examines relationships, family, or domestic life and was published in a book or magazine in the last three years....
read moreGreen Linden Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Green Linden Press is given annually for a book of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction translated from any language into English....
read moreTadpole Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $15
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the Tadpole Press website and in Tadpole Press Literary Magazine is given biannually for a work of flash poetry or prose. Angeline...
read moreBOA Editions
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by BOA Editions is given annually for a debut book of poetry. Rigoberto González will judge. Submit a manuscript of 65 to 120 pages with a $30...
read moreFish Publishing
Cash Prize: $3,528
Entry Fee: $26
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of €3,000 (approximately $3,528) and publication in the annual Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short story. The winner will also be invited to attend...
read moreUniversity of Georgia Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $30
Application Deadline: 11/30/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Georgia Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner is also invited to read from their book at the Georgia...
read moreWaywiser Books
Cash Prize: $3,000
Entry Fee: $29
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Waywiser Books is given annually for a poetry collection by a poet who has published no more than one previous collection. The winner will...
read moreRegal House Publishing
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Fiction
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a story collection. Heather Bell Adams will judge. Using only the online submission system,...
read moreAthenaeum of Philadelphia
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Up to two prizes of $1,000 each and an invitation to give a public lecture at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia is given annually for books of fiction and/or nonfiction published...
read morePushcart Press
Cash Prize: $0
Entry Fee: $0
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines...
read moreSlipstream Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Slipstream Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. The editors will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 40 pages...
read moreMeadowlark Press
Cash Prize: $1,000
Entry Fee: $25
Application Deadline: 12/1/25
Genre: Poetry
A prize of $1,000, publication by Meadowlark Press, and 50 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript...
read more